Banning Reference Books and What it Means to You

Have you ever read The Color Purple, Gone with the Wind, The Lord of the Rings or The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn? Did they offend you? Do you believe they were/are a bad influence on you or those around you? Well someone thinks they were/are. The ALA has banned these books from our children's learning institutes. In this 4 part series you will hear from several individuals ranging from Parents, Teachers and Children on their opinions and views of book banning and certain books that have been banned. Please feel free to comment yourself. I would love to hear what you have to say.

Part 1 Book Banning and What it Means to You

Part 2 Banning Children's Books and What it Means to You

Part 3 Banning Adult Books and What it Means to You

Part 4 Banning Reference Books and What it Means to You

American Heritage Dictionary - This book was banned for its' objectionable definitions.

I do not find any of the definitions objectionable and would recommend to others. - Brenda Ryan of Pleasant Grove, UT (Parent)

I agree that children should still be able to read this book. - Rebecca Barboza of Oklahoma City, OK (Student)

Pah-leeeze people!! A dictionary?? For "objectionable definitions"?? Did everyone seem to forget that is what a dictionary is?? A book of definitions! And for some words, such as parts of the body, there is really no way to explain or define except in very straight out words. And some words have more than one definition, which includes slang and other forms of speech. Next time you think of adding a dictionary, take a little check on the words you speak in the course of an ordinary day and see if maybe the words that are being defined with those "objectionable words" might have been coming out of your own mouth. - Michelle Campbell of Oklahoma City, OK (Parent)

Boss: Richard J Daley of Chicago - This book was banned because it degrades the police department.

The police degraded themselves. [I] would recommend. - Brenda Ryan of Pleasant Grove, UT (Parent)

Dictionary of American Slang - This book was banned due to dirty passages.

Slang is what it is and so of course there will be dirty passages. I just wouldn't recommend it to children underage. - Brenda Ryan of Pleasant Grove, UT (Parent)

I agree that children should still be able to read this book. - Rebecca Barboza of Oklahoma City, OK (Student)

Again, what's with a dictionary being on a banned books list? It is a book of definitions, and in this case - of slang words!!! In today's modern world, slang is used all around you - in daily conversation, in advertisements, on a TV, even in the news. So why NOT have a book of these words so you can understand what is being said around you. Ignorance is NOT a virtue. - Michelle Campbell of Oklahoma City, OK (Parent)

Felix Castillo, Banned and Controversial Books
American Library Association, Banned and/or Challenged Books from the Radcliffe Publishing Course Top 100 Novels of the 20th Century